on a tight leash

1. Lit. [of an animal] on a leash, held tightly and close to its owner. I keep my dog on a tight leash so it won't bother people.

2. Fig. under very careful control. My father keeps my brother on a tight leash. We can't do much around here. The boss has us all on a tight leash.

3. Sl. addicted to some drug. Wilbur is on a tight leash. He has to have the stuff regularly. Gert is kept on a tight leash by her habit.

on a tight leash

1. mod. under very careful control. We can’t do much around here. The boss has us all on a tight leash.

2. mod. addicted to some drug. Wilmer is on a tight leash. He has to have the stuff regularly.

See also: leash, on, tight

References in periodicals archive ?

Callum Davidson 7 Left-back kept Paterson on a tight leash.

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So he admits that he's having to keep himself on a tight leash in his new prime time Friday night slot.

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And Brucie, born in South Africa, reckons Rooney and Co can go all the way with Capello keeping them on a tight leash.

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But Kirklees Council is issuing a warning to the minority who fail to keep their animals on a tight leash.

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Looks like he's kept on a tight leash though, just like his 'dad' - Julia shooed away the other pesky pooches and took a firm hold of him.

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It's a spot so dark and secluded that even an imagination on a tight leash can conjure up images of Alpine settings far away from the metropolis - and that basting pan in your kitchen longing for attention from a scrub brush.

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While Stanford Springel, interim president and chief executive officer of RET, was pleased with the new availability, he cautioned that "the bank is keeping us on a tight leash, insofar as the company must meet periodic performance benchmarks in order to remain within its financial covenants.

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Wary about Kinnock's second outing, his strategists kept him on a tight leash.

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KATY Perry keeps fiance Russell Brand on a tight leash as she takes him home to meet her parents.